"Traveling to Sicily was an unforgettable experience. From boating on the Mediterranean sea to eating a pizza dinner in Syracuse, and from visiting ancient ruins in Taormina to dedicated community service, this journey was a high point in my life. Not only did I create close friendships during my journey, but I got to have delicious food (like pistachio cannolis and gelato) and experience unmatched natural beauty. I will always remember boating off the coast of Agrigento, and the first time I dived into the brilliant blue waters of the Mediterranean. My hike up Mount Etna was a surreal experience and, coming from a hiker, one of the best hikes I've ever been on. In addition to natural beauty, I was completely immersed in the culture as well. I attended a baptism of one of our host family’s daughters, and a fun reception afterward with views of Mount Etna and a lunar eclipse. I’m proud of the community service we put in to help our host family build a path to the meditation and prayer area at their home. My TFT trip to Sicily was a life-changing experience. Before I went on the TFT trip, I didn’t have much confidence in my ability to travel, but afterward, I gained a lot of confidence and I am more eager than ever to explore the world. I would definitely recommend TFT to all prospective travelers, especially for those who want to make an impact in other people’s lives."
"The Travel for Teens trips that I have been a part of have completely changed my life. I have been to nine European countries because of TFT, and I would not trade my experiences I had for the world. From taking an immersive bike tour through Prague, to white water rafting in Slovenia, to relaxing on a white sand beach in Croatia, to riding in the London Eye, to being awestruck by the beautiful architecture of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, I had the time of my life. The Travel for Teens counselors on the trip were remarkable and encouraged me to try new things, whether that be eating escargot or canyoning. I gained so many new friends from my TFT trips, and the memories I’ve made will last a lifetime. You will not regret taking a trip with Travel for Teens!"
"TFT gave me such an incredible opportunity to experience personal growth, meet inspiring people, challenge my comfort zone, and form long-lasting bonds with families and students that live across the globe from me. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I went on the Peru, Ecuador, and Galapagos service trip that I can honestly say changed my life. From working with local preschoolers, living with host families, and picking up trash from sustainable farms to exploring Machu Picchu and swimming off the shores of beautiful white sand beaches in the Galapagos, I had an unforgettable experience. All the people I had met, both in my travel group and locals, have become dear friends and people I will forever share a special bond with. TFT is one of the most amazing programs I have ever been a part of, and I am sure you will discover the same."
"My life changed drastically over the course of two weeks and I owe that change to Travel for Teens and the summer I spent abroad in Berlin, Paris, and London! From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was greeted to nonstop action. From the get-go, there was so much to do. Being exposed to other cultures and learning phrases in German and French was fascinating and showed me that there was so much more to the world than my tiny bubble in California. From biking around Berlin to riding on the London Eye, there was never an absence of adventures. Besides adventures, there was also a community that formed over the course of two weeks. The staff was able to make every moment enjoyable and the other campers all contributed to the general companionship through their kindness and willingness to learn about the foreign world we found ourselves in. In the end, I came home wanting to go on more trips in the summers to come! From my summer, I’ve made lasting friendships and can effectively call myself a traveler and not a tourist!"
"I was so lucky to be able to experience a TFT trip. I went to Hawaii on the sea turtle service and adventure. On my trip I met many new friends and created bonds with them which I will forever have. I had amazing role models as my counselors and I felt extremely comfortable with them. This trip all together was really the opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to begin my passion for traveling through this wonderful program. I learned many lessons that I will carry with me for my whole life. This experience was truly life changing and booking this trip was the greatest decision I ever made. can honestly say that I had the best summer of my life in the year of 2019 and that is all thanks to TFT."
"I went to Tanzania for three weeks and going into this trip I was so excited to meet girls living at a boarding school and to work in an orphanage. I was excited to meet all the people that I would be staying with and going on safaris. What I wasn't expecting was to have my outlook on life changed forever. When we landed in Dar es Salaam after two long flights, we were greeted with the most love and joy I have ever seen and felt. Everyone was smiling and waiting to help us in any way they could. I was so overwhelmed at how amazing these people were. After being greeted we began the drive to our first hotel. On the way, I saw the poverty throughout the capital, but what I also saw was smiles. Smiles everywhere. I saw mothers carrying their children along the streets, with no shoes on; but they were still smiling and talking happily to each other. Not only did I see this is the capital, but I also saw this with the girls and the orphans. These girls had nothing but their uniforms and books, yet they were so happy. They always thanked us for any little thing we did. I will never forget one time a sweet girl about my age (16), cried out of happiness just from me sitting with her and making friendship bracelets. The little kids in the orphanage that had been living there since before they could remember were all joy. All they wanted to do was hold your hand and be next to you. These things will always stay with me, not because I got to go to Africa, or see zebras and lions and giraffes up close, or meet some amazing people who I still keep in touch with today, but because I saw people who realized that life is not about what you have, it's about who is in your life and how you chose to live it."
"Choosing to travel with TFT has been the best decision I have ever made. I have been able to visit France, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and all over Greece! These trips have never failed to disappoint with all of the wonderful people and exciting things they have planned! I never expected to be feeding sloths in Costa Rica or going on a private boat trip around the famous Greek islands. I have made new friends from all over the world that I still talk to today. One of the best things about every trip is the counselors! They are always very knowledgeable about every location, and are there to keep you safe and informed as well as to have fun in general. These trips are the best way to meet new people and enjoy brand new experiences that you will cherish forever."
"My first TFT trip was incredible. I got to see the various types of beauty found along the pacific west cost from national parks to vibrant cities. Not only were the destinations wonderful but so were the TFT staff. They were immensely caring and fun people to be around. Some of my fondest favorite memories came from those friendships. One of my favorite aspects of this trip was that we were taught to be travelers, not tourists. Where we are encouraged to seek and explore all corners of the earth. I loved my TFT trip and I hope to never stop traveling."
"Traveling is not about going to a destination, it’s about the things that shape each and one of us in that destination, and Travel for Teens helped me realize this. Traveling with TFT has been one of the best decisions I have made in my teenage years. Not only does TFT give everyone the opportunity to assimilate and embrace the culture they are visiting, but it also allows them to give back to the community in ways one has never thought possible, such as building a cement house from scratch in a small village in Thailand or redoing a park in Costa Rica. Traveling with TFT opens your eyes to beauty and wonders this world beholds and shows you how to be a traveler, rather than a tourist. But most importantly, not only do you get to experience this once in a lifetime adventure, you manage to create a family with whom you share all of these great memories, an act which would not be possible without TFT!"
"No one would really think that if they could travel, they would go to Alaska. I was totally like that. But after seeing what this trip had to offer, I decided to sign up and do it. It was such an amazing experience! By far, my favorite Travel for Teens trip. I was with a small group and we all got along so great. The activities were amazing like going sea kayaking and seeing seals, going hiking and seeing a herd of wild goats and a glacier, and going whitewater rafting down a canyon! I would totally do this trip again if I could, I loved it so much. Travel for Teens is a great company to travel with because you’re going with great kids your age and you’re very safe. Also, the dinners and breakfasts are included and the counselors, food and accommodations are great! I absolutely love Travel for Teens and would totally recommend signing up for the USA for Older Teens: Alaska Service & Adventure trip (only if you like the outdoors though)."
"I had the amazing opportunity of traveling to Australia and New Zealand. It was absolutely amazing. I got to do once-in-a-lifetime activities such as scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Bridge Climb. These are memories that I will never forgot. for community service, we volunteered at a wallaby sanctuary. This was absolutely amazing, The wallabies were beyond cute, and they reminded me of my dog that I missed dearly. I never once imagined that I would be able to spend so much time with wallabies, and it was amazing. I had the most amazing counselors and met friends that I still keep in touch with. There was not a day that I did not love. If you have the opportunity to do this, you should, I can guarantee that you will not regret it."
"I have traveled with TFT for four summers now, exploring Costa Rica, Croatia, Fiji and Greece. These trips have been the highlight of my summers. They have broadened my horizons and strengthened my confidence. Going on these trips and meeting new people changed how I view the world. I love having conversations with locals and people I meet along the way. The small TFT groups and the knowledgeable and enthusiastic group leaders make for a fun and eye-opening experience. What sets TFT apart is that we immerse ourselves in the culture and we are not just tourists. We meet locals, hear stories about their lives, and it is truly invigorating. Travel For Teens has given me so much more than fun memories over the summer. They have given me the ability to be comfortable talking to anyone, being in new places, having a widened perspective on other cultures, and to be independent. On my Costa Rica and Fiji trips, we volunteered with school children. In a very short time we made deep connections that I will always cherish. I feel so fortunate to have had my eyes opened through TFT to so many beautiful places and memorable people."
"Travel For Teens gave me the opportunity to jump out of my comfort zone, while creating life-long friendships, in places I never thought I’d be able to go to. TFT encourages their campers to try new things, keep a positive outlook, and learn to be travelers rather than tourists. Every TFT trip I have been on has been extremely well organized and packed of fun and exciting experiences. My trip directors and counselors did everything they could to make sure everyone was having a good time and felt included and comfortable. Only good things to say about Travel For Teens!"
"Coming home from my summer with TFT was a challenge. After having such an amazing time on my French Language trip, I didn't want to go back to school. I mean, we had language classes in Paris, but I had so much fun learning French from a native Parisian teacher that they hardly seemed like school at all! As soon as I got on my flight home I was already thinking about my next chance to travel. This coming year will be my third of summer explorations with TFT and I have loved every minute. The genuine connections, in-depth cultural immersions and enthusiastic counselors are what keep me coming back year after year. Thank you for all the memories and I look forward to my my next adventure!"
"This past summer I went to Spain with TFT. Like all of the TFT trips I have been on, this one was amazing! We went on a bike tour through Barcelona, swam in the waters of Malaga, and dined at amazing restaurants in Madrid. The counselors were so knowledgable, teaching us Spanish as well as great tips about the cities we were in! There was never a dull moment, and every day was a unique adventure. My favorite parts were touring the beautiful Sagrada Familia and learning how to make paella. This trip is a great choice for both new and experienced travelers and I highly recommend it for anyone with a love of culture, beaches, history, and tapas!"